IMPHAL, Aug 29: The North East Forum for International Solidarity has also strongly condemned the re-arrest of Irom Sharmila just two days after a local court had ruled that she cannot be charged with attempted suicide.
“We would also like to condemn the deputy Chief Minister of Manipur who defended the re-arresting of Irom Sharmila by saying that her health was deteriorating” it said while continuing that the truth is Sharmila was grabbed fiercely, dragged and thrown to the police vehicle by a group of police women.
It continued that such action is gross violation of human rights and huge disrespect to an activist who has been struggling to end violence and bring peace in the whole north east region of the country.
“People of Manipur across India are enraged with this blatant offence against a women and an activist who is fighting for ending the brutal law of AFSPA,” it observed.
On May 22, 1958, AFSPA was promulgated for the first time by the Indian State, it said before adding, “By denying us the right to rule of law the Indian State has kept us relegated to the status of second class citizens in the country that claims itself to be the world’s largest democracy.”
We demand the immediate release of Irom Sharmila and revoking of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA), it said.
